High pressure apparatus for neutron diffraction investigation of strongly compressible substances (H2, D2, Ar)

Abstract

The high pressure apparatus (HPA) up to 25kbar from TiZr alloy is presented. The short review of materials used for constructing the HPA for the neutron diffraction is given. It is shown that D₂ may serve as the exellent calibrant for the quasihidrostatic pressure at low temperatures.     

Asymptotic behavior of neutron small-angle multiple scattering spectra

The asymptotic behavior of the spectra for large values of the scattering vector for the case of elastic multiple small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is investigated theoretically and experimentally. An expansion of the spectrum in terms of the reciprocal of the magnitude of the momentum transfer is obtained taking account of the influence of the instrumental line. It is shown that, to within some factor, the leading term of the expansion is identical to the differential single-scattering cross section averaged over a statistical ensemble of particles; several subsequent terms in the expansion are calculated and the range of applicability of the resulting expressions is determined. The asymptotic behavior of the multiple SANS spectrum is measured, using a two-crystal neutron spectrometer, for samples of an HTSC ceramic, the alloy Fe-Ni, and Al powder. The agreement between the experimental results and the theoretical predictions is analyzed. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 114, 2194–2203 (December 1998)     

Modified Bridgman anvils for high pressure synthesis and neutron scattering

ABSTRACT

A simple modified Bridgman design for large volume pressure anvils usable in the Paris-Edinburgh (PE) press has been demonstrated at Oak Ridge National Laboratory Spallation Neutron Source. The design shows advantages over the toroidal anvils typically used in the PE press, mainly rapid compression/decompression rates, complete absence of blow-outs upon drastic phase transitions, simplified cooling, high reliability, and relative low loads (～40 tons) corresponding to relatively high pressures (～20?GPa). It also shows advantages over existing large-volume diamond cells as sample volumes of ～2–3?mm³ can be easily and rapidly synthesized. The anvils thus allow sample sizes sufficient for in situ neutron diffraction as well as rapid synthesis of adequate amounts of new materials for ex situ analysis via total neutron scattering and neutron spectroscopy.     

Incoherent inelastic neutron scattering from hexamethylene-tetramine and adamantane

The incoherent inelastic neutron scattering spectra of hexamethylene tetramine (HMT) and adamantane have been measured at high resolution between 200 and 1000 cm^-1. The agreement between the frequencies of the observed spectra and the optical spectra of Mecke and Spieseche (HMT) and Bailey (adamantane) is good. The observed neutron spectra are also matched very closely by the calculated one-phonon spectra, computed from a normal-coordinate analysis. There is some additional structure in the neutron spectra which appears to be due to multiphonon scattering involving lattice modes.     

Prompt neutron emission spectra and multiplicities in the thermal neutron induced fission of235U

The emission spectra of prompt fission neutrons from mass and kinetic energy selected fission fragments have been measured in²³⁵U(n _th,f). Neutron energies were determined from the measurement of the neutron time of flight using a NE213 scintillation detector. The fragment energies were measured by a pair of surface barrier detectors in one set of measurements and by a back-to-back gridded ionization chamber in the second set of measurements. The data were analysed event by event to deduce neutron energy in the rest frame of the emitting fragment for the determination of neutron emission spectra and multiplicities as a function of the fragment mass and total kinetic energy. The results are compared with statistical model calculations using shell and excitation energy dependent level density formulations to deduce the level density parameters of the neutron rich fragment nuclei over a large range of fragment masses.     

Calculation of the wide-angle neutron spectra from the ~9Be(d,xn) reaction in a thick beryllium target

The multi-layer computing model is developed to calculate wide-angle neutron spectra, in the range from0° to 180° with a 5° step, produced by bombarding a thick beryllium target with deuterons. The double-differential cross-sections(DDCSs) for the ~9 Be(d, xn) reaction are calculated using the TALYS-1.8 code. They are in agreement with the experimental data, and are much better than the PHITS-JQMD/GEM results at 15°, 30°, 45° and 60° neutron emission angles for deuteron energy of 10.0 MeV. In the TALYS-1.8 code, neutron contributions from direct reactions(break-up, stripping and knock-out reactions) are controlled by adjustable parameters, which describe the basic characteristics of typical direct reactions and control the relative intensity and the position of the ridgy hillock at the tail of DDCSs. It is found that the typical calculated wide-angle neutron spectra for different neutron emission angles and neutron angular distributions agree quite well with the experimental data for 13.5 MeV deuterons. The multi-layer computing model can reproduce the experimental data reasonably well by optimizing the adjustable parameters in the TALYS-1.8 code. Given the good agreement with the experimental data, the multi-layer computing model could provide better predictions of wide-angle neutron energy spectra, neutron angular distributions and neutron yields for the ~9 Be(d, xn) reaction neutron source.     

Unified analysis of diffusion and relaxation processes in amorphous metallic alloys

Abstract

Self-diffusion data on amorphous metallic alloys determined in long-time radio-tracer experiments and activation-enthalpy spectra deduced from short-time structural relaxation studies on such materials are reviewed and analyzed in terms of current random transition rate models. It is shown that the seeming discrepancy between the self-diffusion enthalpies and the comparatively small enthalpies obtained from measurements of the magnetic after-effect arises from the existence of activation-enthalpy spectra. Whereas the short-time experiments reveal the small-activation-enthalpy parts of these spectra, the long-time self-diffusion experiments are controlled by the larger activation enthalpies. Assuming that the activation-enthalpy distributions are Gaussian, their characteristic parameters have been determined by comparing the two types of measurements. It is shown that the Arrhenius-type diffusion coefficients found by experiment are compatible with half-widths of the activation-enthalpy spectra of about 0.3 eV. Based on an analysis of the pre-exponential factors and other typical properties of the diffusion coefficients, potential mechanisms of the diffusion in amorphous alloys are proposed.     

Displacement damage and transmutations in metals under neutron and proton irradiation

The knowledge of the defect and impurity generation rates, as well as the defect spatial distribution, is the corner stone for the understanding of the evolution of material properties under irradiation. This knowledge is also an essential element for comprehensive experimental simulations of the behavior of irradiated materials.In this article the interaction of neutron and proton irradiation with metals is discussed with respect to displacement damage production. Charged particle irradiation is also briefly illustrated. After discussion of the primary interaction of projectiles (neutrons, charged particles in general, and protons in particular) with target atoms/nuclei, we describe the interaction of a recoil atom with other target atoms resulting in the slowing down of the projectile, displacement damage, impurity atom production due to nuclear reactions, and the creation of atomic displacement cascades. Then the further evolution of defect structure is discussed. The next section, devoted to subcascade formation, is divided into two parts. The first experimental evidence of subcascade formation under neutron and charged particle irradiation is presented. Then the models of subcascade formation are described. Finally we review the models for the calculation of displacement damage and show how these models can be applied to displacement damage calculation under neutron irradiation with a demonstration of a real application of the methods discussed to several nuclear facilities. To cite this article: P. Vladimirov, S. Bouffard, C. R. Physique 9 (2008).     

国内典型地区地面大气中子能谱测量与仿真

基于多球能谱仪开展了广州、兰州和拉萨等地区的大气中子能谱和通量测量,获取了大气中子能谱的典型特征。测量结果表明：不同地区的大气中子通量受海拔高度的影响明显,地面大气中子通量随着海拔的增加而增加。此外,基于蒙特卡罗仿真工具也可以模拟初级宇宙射线粒子在地球大气层中的核反应过程,从而计算获取大气中子能谱。大气中子能谱测量数据与仿真数据吻合良好。     

The effects of shielding around the source on neutron energy spectra

The knowledge of neutron energy spectra contributes to unambiguous identification of neutron sources in the fields of nuclear safeguards and nuclear non-proliferation. Since a real scenario situation includes the presence of shielding around the source, we have investigated the influence of the potential shielding surrounding the source on the shape of energy spectra for a few neutron sources. We have applied the maximum-likelihood, expectation–maximisation (MLEM) method with one-step-late (OSL) algorithm for neutron spectra unfolding. The pulse height distributions used in the unfolding procedures were simulated with the high accuracy by using the MCNP-PoliMi code based on the Monte Carlo method. A possibility to identify the shielded neutron sources by using the unfolding method was examined with two continuous-in-energy sources, such as ²⁵²Cf and ²⁴¹Am–Be in source-shielding configurations with lead (Pb) and polyethylene (PE) blocks. The results of calculations have shown that the identification of ²⁵²Cf and ²⁴¹Am–Be sources with 2.5 cm of Pb and PE shield can be achieved successfully by using the MLEM method with the OSL algorithm. However, the unfolded results for ²⁵²Cf and ²⁴¹Am–Be sources with 10 cm of PE shield significantly deviate from the reference spectra and the sources cannot be correctly identified on the basis of their unfolded energy spectra.     

Investigation of the parameters of neutron filters

The quality of suppression of neutrons by lithium hydride ⁶LiH filters for narrow and wide beams from a neutron generator incorporating deuterium and tritium targets is investigated. The experimental data can be used for the design of measurement apparatus operating in high neutron fields. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 68, 136–138 (April 1998)     

Radiation damage in triglycine sulphate due to fast neutron irradiation

Abstract

The change in electrical properties of TGS crystals due to induced defects created by fast neutron irradiation of two different energies (2 and 14 MeV) and different integrated neutron fluxes have been studied in the vicinity of phase transition. It is observed that the electrical conductivity increases with increase of neutron fluence up to 1.7 × 10¹⁰ n · cm^?2 and the values of the relative change of electrical conductivity in case of 2 MeV are higher than that of 14 MeV neutrons at the same neutron fluence (φ)     

Does the simple statistical model describe delayed neutron emission?: The cases of 85As, 87Br, 135Sb and 137I

Delayed neutron spectra and branching ratios to excited states in final nuclei calculated with the statistical model are compared to experimental data for the decay of ⁸⁷Br, ¹³⁷I, ⁸⁵As and ¹³⁵Sb. For the first two precursors, the calculations support the experimental β-strength functions reported previously. For the latter two, it is shown that the statistical model cannot simultaneously reproduce both spectra and branching ratios for any choice of β-strength function when all levels populated by neutron emission are included in the calculations. The comparisons demonstrate that partial widths for neutron emission are not compatible with optical-model transmission coefficients. We conclude, as pointed out previously, that structure effects in the energy range probed by delayed neutron emission are not averaged out to the extent required by the statistical assumptions.     

A tof neutron diffraction system for high pressure and low temperature

Abstract

Time-of-flight method of neutron diffraction is applied for materials under high pressure and low temperature. Extra-scattering from the pressure cell is reduced by geometrical design and by shielding with boron-plastics. Temperature is controled by adjusting the supply of liquid nitrogen: Successive transformations with pressure are observed in heavy ice.     

Application of solid state track recorders for neutron spectra measurements in a reactor irradiation facility

Abstract

In connection with the IAEA-neutron seed irradiation Programme, a standard neutron irradiation facility has been constructed. The application of solid state track recorders for fast neutron spectra measurements inside this facility is discussed. Fissionable targets of ²³⁵U, ²³⁹Pu, ²³⁷Np, ²³⁸W and ²³²Th will be used, an approximative solution for the incident neutron spectrum will be obtained by a five-group method.     

Investigation of multiple ultrasmall-angle neutron scattering with the aid of a double-crystal diffractometer

A method of multiple small-angle neutron scattering (MSANS), used to obtain information about inhomogeneities of substances, is considered. Experimental schemes and theory of a double-crystal diffractometer intended for measuring multiple small-angle neutron scattering are described. Methods used to approximate MSANS angular distributions at a low concentration of inhomogeneities and based on Moliére’s theory are reviewed. Their applicability is demonstrated for the examples ofMSANS spectra of samples from ferromagnetic iron-nickel alloys, aluminum powders, and high-T _c superconductor ceramic materials. Theoretical and experimental investigations of interference effects that manifest themselves in multiple small-angle neutron scattering on systems containing high concentrations of scatterers are reported.     

Hydrostatic pressure and temperature dependence study of d-camphor and dl-borneole by neutron scattering

Abstract

Neutron scattering investigations have been performed down to helium temperatures under different hydrostatic pressures up to 330 MPa. Neutron diffraction (ND) and incoherent inelastic neutron scattering (IINS) spectra showed clearly the existence of a phase transition in d-camphor, which was not observed in dl-borneole. The ND spectra point to a possible cubic structure of the dl-borneole crystal down to helium temperatures. Pressure and temperature dependence of the IINS spectra assumed a glass-like transition from the dynamical to static orientational disorder of molecules in this crystal.     

Single crystal diffraction with X-rays and neutrons: High quality at high pressure?

Abstract

Single crystal X-ray and neutron diffraction is essential for determining occupancies, positional as well as static and dynamic displacement parameters in crystalline matter by measuring Bragg, satellite or diffuse reflections. In our contribution a new low-temperature high pressure cell for neutron single crystal diffraction will be presented. It is designed to operate from a few K to ambient temperature in “orange” cryostats at pressures up to at least 3 GPa. We will present first neutron diffraction results obtained at E4/HMI Berlin and discuss the quality of the data and the significance of the results. A software package has been written (as a part of the PROMETHEUS system), which deals with the data reduction for both X-ray and neutron high pressure cell single crystal data. Likewise a data collection program has been developed for single crystal data collection on four-circle diffractometers using Merrill-Bassett cells. A series of single crystal experiments on H₂O and D₂O ice VI and KDP (KH₂PO₄) show that results of very high quality can be obtained routinely including even higher order terms in the atomic displacement parameters.     

Inelasticity corrections for time-of-flight and fixed wavelength neutron diffraction experiments

Time-of-flight neutron diffraction methods are widely used to study the structure of liquids and glasses. The scattering nuclei in these experiments suffer nuclear recoil in the course of the neutron scattering process, which gives rise to distortions to both the self and distinct structure factors extracted from the data. These distortions are in general difficult to evaluate quantitatively, especially when the mass of the nucleus is similar to that of the neutron, such as when hydrogen is present in the material being studied. Traditional treatments of this effect generally assume the neutron energy is lower than the excitation energy of an atom, but for time-of-flight diffraction this is never the case, and the experiments typically sample a wide range of energy transfers from sub-meV to tens of eV. In addition, by attempting to produce an analytical correction, such methods invariably make a long list of approximations which can be difficult to justify in particular cases. Here, a model for the scattering kernal is developed based on the well known harmonic oscillator model [A.C. Zemach and R.J. Glauber, Phys. Rev. 101, 118 (1956)]. This is shown to have the correct first and second moments of the scattering kernal for both the self and distinct scattering, and is used to estimate the self and distinct scattering from a diatomic ‘dumbell’ molecule. The model gives a realistic account of the single atom scattering from light and heavy water over a wide range of incident neutron energies, but is not yet accurate enough to perform quantitative corrections. In lieu of a quantitative approach, a ‘top hat’ convolution method is developed to perform the subtraction of self scattering from real data, and to allow data from multiple detector banks to be merged into a single structure factor. The harmonic oscillator model is also used to address the question of inelasticity effects on the interference scattering. For the intramolecular correlations at least at low scattering angles up to ～40° it is found that the effect of inelasticity is rather small – around 0.6% on the estimated OH bond length for H₂O. Although the emphasis here is on time-of-flight diffraction, the model is quite general and can just as easily be applied to the case of fixed wavelength neutron diffraction where it also gives accurate results.